A construction worker who claims he was assaulted by Government MP Arthur Pitcher told The Royal Gazette last night that he intended to press charges.

Father-of-one, Ryan Fox, was discharged from King Edward VII Memorial Hospital on Saturday afternoon after suffering a neck sprain in the alleged punch up on Wednesday.

Mr. Fox, 33, of Smith's Hill Road, St. David's, claimed he was "slammed against a wall" by his boss Mr. Pitcher while he was working on the Southside building project, damaging his neck and causing him to fall to the floor.

Police have launched an investigation into the fight, which is said to have occurred after Progressive Labour Party MP Mr. Pitcher told Mr. Fox he was fired from his firm Coleron Construction.

Mr. Fox said last night that he was still in a lot of pain from the sprain and had been told to continue wearing a neck brace for at least another two weeks by doctors.

He said he was involved in a serious road accident in St. David's about four years ago, in which his neck was broken in three different places, and had to be wired back into place.

Mr. Fox, who claimed to have worked on the construction site for eight months, said: "I spoke to the Police on Friday and said I wanted to press charges.

"I don't think it should just rest here. Mr. Pitcher must face consequences for his actions. I had very serious problems with my neck a few years ago, so this has caused me a lot of pain around my neck and shoulders.

"I was slammed up against a wall, and it has sprained my neck. I had to spend four days in hospital. I don't have a job now and I'm unable to work because of the pain.

"I have rent to pay, like everyone else. This should not have happened."

Mr. Fox said a worker on the site had reported to the media that he walked away from the incident and did not look to be injured, he said "looks can be deceiving".

And he said he had to get an ambulance to drive him to the hospital for treatment on Wednesday.

Mr. Pitcher refused to talk to The Royal Gazette last night about the incident.

However, other workers on the low-cost housing project have contacted the newspaper about the incident last Wednesday with conflicting stories, although nobody has so far denied the scuffle took place.

One man, who would not be named for fear of reprisals, said tensions were boiling at Southside between Mr. Pitcher and his workers over a number of issues, but said the MP was verbally abusive towards the men.

But another worker called to defend Mr. Pitcher and said he did not believe Mr. Fox to have been badly injured.

Mr. Pitcher's supporter said: "He was fine. He wasn't in any pain or anything.

And he said if there was tension on the site, it was as a result of people taking sides since last Wednesday's brawl.